Heading to the capital to see a performance is always special. It’s a chance to enjoy an afternoon or evening of entertainment, spend quality time with family or friends and perhaps go to dinner or indulge in some pre-show cocktails. Whether you want to find tickets to one of the best mystery plays in London or the latest musical to hit the West End, it’s important to choose wisely. Here are our top tips for choosing theatre tickets to suit your needs.
One of the most critical considerations when you’re buying tickets is the company you are buying them from. Always choose a reputable agent that is a member of STAR (The Society of Ticket Agents & Retailers). These sellers subscribe to a high standard of customer service and ethical guidelines to ensure consumers can obtain fairly priced, genuine tickets.
The further in advance you buy your tickets, the better your chances of getting your preferred seats. Consider whether you want to sit in the stalls or the dress circle; stalls are ideal for those who want to feel immersed in the production, while the dress circle (called the royal circle in some theatres) offers a wider, panoramic view of the stage.
Buying in advance also enables you to secure tickets to suit your budget. Most reputable agents will show you a seating plan with seats that are colour coded according to their price, enabling you to choose the perfect combination of price and location.
If any member(s) of your party require access tickets, you will need to inform the ticketing agent. At KX Tickets, we ask you to register for a free Access Card, which is processed by Nimbus Disability within 10 days of application. You can then simply email us with your ticket request and Access Card ID and the team will allocate your tickets.
If you don’t require access tickets but your party includes children, consider their needs when choosing your tickets. You may want to be near an aisle, for example, or attend a performance that is modified for those with sensory needs.
If you are booking for a large group such as a school party, group buying will not only ensure you are all able to sit together, it may also be cheaper. Some theatres will reduce prices for groups of ten or more, but it depends on the performance you choose and availability. KX Tickets has a booking form that you can complete if you are interested in making a group booking.
If your schedule allows, a weeknight or matinee performance is often better value than weekend performances. Friday and Saturday are the most popular times, particularly for those travelling into London, so prices tend to be higher. If you’re living in the capital, or you are enjoying a midweek city break and want to take in the best West End musicals and shows, you can save by choosing a weekday or 2pm performance.
Here at KX Tickets, a member of STAR, you’ll find tickets to a wide variety of West End shows and off-West End productions. Browse our What’s On page to view what’s available and book your seats online today.